The EX2100e Excitation Control Regulator system is GE's most recent state-of-the-art control system for steam, gas, or hydro generators for both new and retrofit units. Control hardware and software design is closely coordinated between GE's system and controls engineering to ensure delivery of a true system solution. Integration is seamless between Excitation Control systems, Turbine Control systems, Static Starter Control systems, Integrated Control Systems (ICS), and the Human-machine Interface (HMI). For stand-alone retrofit applications, integration with customer distributed control systems (DCS) through serial or Modbus® Ethernet is supported. This document specifically addresses applications for the 35 A and 120 A (nominal) series of EX2100e Control Regulator systems.
Control Hardware:
The EX2100e Regulator system is available in several configurations to provide control flexibility for Thyristor and Regulator systems. For small Regulator systems, two pulse-width modulated (PWM) power converter modules use Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) to provide up to 35 A or 120 A nominal output. These systems can support the following applications:
•Saturable Current Transformers / Power Potential Transformers (SCT/PPT) regulator
•Brushless exciter regulator
•Direct current (dc) rotating exciter regulator
In the SCT/PPT regulator and dc rotating exciter regulator applications, the EX2100e Regulator system can de-sensitize the effect of the exciter time constant. It incorporates direct measurement of the generator field voltage and field current to enhance speed of response to system transients.
Control Cabinet:
The EX2100e Regulator system is encased in a NEMA® 1/IP20 or IP21 freestanding, indoor metal cabinet for floor-mounting installation. An IP54 option for the cabinet is also available. The standard cabinet color is ANSI-70 (light gray) on exterior surfaces (other colors are available). Interior surfaces are galvanized steel. The equipment is designed to operate in an ambient temperature range of 0 to 40°C (32 to 104 °F). Depending upon the specific application, a current derating factor may apply at 50°C (122 °F).
Control Software:
The EX2100e control software supports high performance and helps the customer and
field engineers understand, install, commission, tune, and maintain the excitation control
system. The exciter software is configured and loaded from the ToolboxST application
and resides in the controllers. The software is represented on the ToolboxST Component
Editor screen by control blocks that are linked together to display the signal flow.
The generator voltages and currents from the PTs and CTs are the source of the control
signals needed by the automatic (generator terminal voltage) regulator, most limiters, and
protection functions. They are wired to the ESYS, which acts as a signal conditioner to
isolate and scale the signals. The conditioned signals are fed to the controller. The system
simultaneously samples the ac waveform at high speed and uses advanced mathematical algorithms to digitally generate the needed variables.